BOISE, Idaho (Christian Examiner) -- Nagmeh Abedini, wife of Pastor Saeed Abedini -- who is imprisoned in Iran -- is asking supporters to join a rally in Boise ahead of President Obama's speech this afternoon, 2:54 p.m. Mountain Time, inside the Caven-Williams Sports Complex on the campus of Boise State University.

"This is our chance to stand with Saeed! The president is coming to our city!" she wrote on Facebook.

Her plea followed her surprise announcement via Twitter, unconfirmed by the White House, that President Obama will meet with her as part of his visit to the city today.

Saeed Abedini has been a captive since September 2012, when the Iranian Revolutionary Guard raided his parent's home in Tehran and took him captive to Evin Prison. He has been repeatedly beaten, according to the family, and has internal organ damage.

(FACEBOOK)

His imprisonment is related to his conversion to Christianity in 2000 and alleged involvement in starting churches in Iran. He has lived in the United States since 2005 but traveling back and forth to the country to visit family and most recently to work on an orphanage in Rasht the government approved.

He is serving an 8 year sentence.

Naghmeh told supporters that she would be there with others passing our "Free Saeed" t-shirts, yellow ribbons and "Free Saeed" signs to carry.

"If you are going to attend the event please wear a SAVE SAEED T shirt or a yellow shirt," she asks. "You can also wear the yellow ribbons that we will be passing out."